Pleurisy

Pleurisy is the name given to inflammation of the pleura, the lining of the lung. This is in fact in two layers - one on the surface of the lung and the other lining the chest wall. Usually these slip over each other as we breathe. If there is an underlying problem with part of the lung - such as a pneumonia, or an area of infarction following a pulmonary embolus - the overlying pleura becomes inflamed and sticky. It no longer slips over its partner pleura on the chest wall, but rubs against it causing pain. Besides treatment of the underlying cause anti-inflammatory agents will help the pain.
 
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